2 answers
Sophia
Student
Orange, California
2
Questions
Updated
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Tips for transferring after community college?
I am a high school student who plants to attend Orange Coast College in the fall. What are the best ways to ensure getting into top four-year universities as a transfer student, such as clubs and extracurriculars?
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2 answers
Chrisanne M
engineer
10
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Chrisanne’s Answer
HI Sophia,
Karin's answer is quite comprehensive for the California system. I just wanted to say congratulations for taking this path, it's the smartest path I know for a university degree, you are wise to make the decision for this journey.
As for transferring to non-California schools, my suggestion to add to Karin is if you have a specific school you are interested in, call them up and talk to them about what credits transfer for the program you are ultimately interested in. The admissions office is always willing to talk to you about transferring and will readily know what classes and credits are allowed to be transferred over. You won't need to obtain a full associate's degree if you are transferring to a school. Sometime by obtaining an associates degree you will have to take classes which won't transfer to a 4 year university. I suggest you ask first to see what works best for the school you are looking to go to after community college.
As for clubs, join ones you like and enjoy, you want to make sure you still have fun!
Your pathway is bright and filled with success.
Karin's answer is quite comprehensive for the California system. I just wanted to say congratulations for taking this path, it's the smartest path I know for a university degree, you are wise to make the decision for this journey.
As for transferring to non-California schools, my suggestion to add to Karin is if you have a specific school you are interested in, call them up and talk to them about what credits transfer for the program you are ultimately interested in. The admissions office is always willing to talk to you about transferring and will readily know what classes and credits are allowed to be transferred over. You won't need to obtain a full associate's degree if you are transferring to a school. Sometime by obtaining an associates degree you will have to take classes which won't transfer to a 4 year university. I suggest you ask first to see what works best for the school you are looking to go to after community college.
As for clubs, join ones you like and enjoy, you want to make sure you still have fun!
Your pathway is bright and filled with success.
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1092
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Sophia,
California has 2 pathways for transfer students: the Transfer Admission Guarantee program (TAG) guarantees a place at a UC. The Associates Degree for Transfer program (ADT) guarantees a place at a CSU. Both do not guarantee which campus you will be admitted to though. You need to check all the options and pathways and the requirements for each campus.
For STEM majors, there is the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) for STEM majors or the GE breadth for STEM majors.
There are lots of rules and not every program has the same rules. Orange Coast College has a Transfer Center offering workshops and transfer counseling that can help you with the process. I left some links for you below.
To get into the top schools you want to maintain an excellent GPA. Activities that would set you apart would vary depending on your major. Generally speaking, experiences through internships, research experience, volunteering and community service as well as showing leadership qualities would be beneficial. Also, any special projects, special talents, awards etc. You find the selection criteria for UC here:
https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-transfer/how-applications-are-reviewed.html
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://orangecoastcollege.edu/services-support/counseling/transfer-center/
https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/admission-requirements/transfer-requirements/uc-transfer-programs/transfer-admission-guarantee-tag.html
https://icangotocollege.com/associate-degree-for-transfer
https://www.calstate.edu/apply/transfer/pages/ccc-associate-degree-for-transfer.aspx
https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/admission-requirements/transfer-requirements/uc-transfer-programs/pathways-plus.html
California has 2 pathways for transfer students: the Transfer Admission Guarantee program (TAG) guarantees a place at a UC. The Associates Degree for Transfer program (ADT) guarantees a place at a CSU. Both do not guarantee which campus you will be admitted to though. You need to check all the options and pathways and the requirements for each campus.
For STEM majors, there is the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) for STEM majors or the GE breadth for STEM majors.
There are lots of rules and not every program has the same rules. Orange Coast College has a Transfer Center offering workshops and transfer counseling that can help you with the process. I left some links for you below.
To get into the top schools you want to maintain an excellent GPA. Activities that would set you apart would vary depending on your major. Generally speaking, experiences through internships, research experience, volunteering and community service as well as showing leadership qualities would be beneficial. Also, any special projects, special talents, awards etc. You find the selection criteria for UC here:
https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-transfer/how-applications-are-reviewed.html
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps: